49



Correspondence, Notes, etc.



This year I purchased two pairs of Gouldian finches, one of the

Black-headed type ( Poephila goutdice), the other of the Red-headed type

(P. mirabilis.) I turned P. mirabilis 3 and P. goutdice ? into an indoor

aviary, and the other two into an outdoor one: indoors the hen became egg

bound and died, was replaced by a second hen which also died, no nest

having been completed. Outside P. goutdice 3 and P. mirabilis ? built in

an old straw hat nailed against the wall but failed to hatch ; later they

again went to nest in the same receptacle, and early in September I heard

young birds. As the weeks passed without young appearing and both old

birds were frequently seen flying freely about the aviary I concluded that

the young had died, but early in October I again heard them, and on the

9th two young ones were flying about perfectly feathered but. in the young

plumage, though showing a blackish mask round the base of the beak. It

will be interesting to see whether, when they moult, these birds will be

Red- or Black-headed Gouldians. A. G. BUTTER.



THE ILLUSTRATION FUND.



The Council acknowledge with thanks the following donations to this

fund : —







£



s.



d.



Mr. W. H. St. Quintin





.. 2



0



0



Mrs. Roberts





.. 0



10



0



Mrs. Reid





.. 1



10



0



An Anonymous Donor





0



10



0



Mr. W. B. Gibbins





0



10



0



Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo ..





5



b



0



THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL.



A Medal has been awarded to Sir William Ingram, Bart., for the

breeding of the Bare-throated Francolin, Pternistes leucoscepus. It is also

proposed to award Medals to the following members :—To Mrs. Michell,

for breeding Forsten’s Lorikeet ( Trichoglossus forsteni), to Mr. D. Seth-

SmiTh for breeding the Swamp Quail (Syncecus australis), and to Mrs.

Howard Williams for breeding the Pileated Finch ( Coryphospingus

pileatus). Accounts have now been published, and it is believed that these

are the first instances in the United Kingdom. Any member or reader

knowing of a previous instance is requested to communicate immediately

with the Honorary Business Secretary.



